Mechanistic Explanations

Deradicalization in response to social experiences in youth in Hong Kong

“…, 2013; Walters, 2016). According to the premises of social learning theory, such definitions and reinforcement are influential that the youth is sensitive to social experiences, treasuring pleasure as opposed to pain, and matching behavior with its definitions (Proctor and Niemeyer, 2019). Social learning theory thus justifies the expected influences of messaging and reinforcement received.…”

“…Accordingly, receiving the messages, punishments and rewards represents social learning contingent on radicalism in 2019. Due to prior behavior, it registers operant conditioning in social learning (Akers, 1998; Proctor and Niemeyer, 2019). This conditioning consolidates the learning that radicalism is responsible for punishment, reward and other reactions.…”

“…According to the aim of deradicalization, youth receiving the messages and reinforcement from their social environment would alleviate their radicalism. The alleviation reflects the simple logic of social learning theory, which holds that learning from the social environment shapes definitions and behaviors concerning deviance, delinquency, and crime (Akers, 1998; Proctor and Niemeyer, 2019). Nevertheless, the effects of social learning may not be as straightforward as intended for deradicalization.…”